Water Valley, KY Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
The water systems supplying Water Valley show a track record of above-average compliance with federal standards — consistently among the better performers in KY.
How Water Valley Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Water Valley Water
- Homes built before 1986: 80% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
Who Supplies Your Water in Water Valley
3 water systems are tracked federally in Water Valley, KY. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Water Valley, Kentucky (population ~918), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 7,471 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Water Valley — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Water Valley: B (73/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Water Valley water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Water Valley
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42085 | B | Graves Company Water District - South Graves | 1,844 |
All ZIP Codes in Water Valley
- 42085 [B]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Housing & Infrastructure in Water Valley
With 80% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Water Valley's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1961 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Water Valley were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Water Valley Homeowners
For most Water Valley homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Water Valley. The estimated $1,200–$2,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 32% below the Kentucky average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Water Valley
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 80% of the Water Valley inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Water Valley
Flood activity in Water Valley is neither negligible nor at the level of the highest-exposure areas in the NFIP dataset. The 1-claim record and 100% flood zone coverage suggest a community that has experienced recurrent events but has not faced the kind of sustained, severe exposure where water-supply contamination becomes a primary public health concern. It sits in a middle range where flood history merits inclusion in any complete local water quality picture.
Water Valley has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $24,899 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,800</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Water Valley, KY